People take communion, or don’t take communion different ways. For some, it is very, very serious. I heard, for instance of an Amish community that did not take communion for two years because of a disagreement in the local church. Communion, for them, means ‘community’ and if the community is in disagreement or in an argument, they will not lie to God and say they are in ‘communion’.

As a ceremony, or as a sacrament, it isn’t very fancy, and for Anabaptists (Mennonites, Amish, Hutterites) who are all ‘plain people’, it isn’t a ceremony or a sacrament, it isn’t a magical moment or a holy event. It is you and I and Jesus sharing bread and wine, and remembering Jesus, as he requested. We do it as remembrance of his broken body and spilled blood, but it is just bread and wine—it doesn’t change into actually being blood and body. We are really peasants, after all.

The important thing and I think and pray all Christians share this—we remember Jesus, it is a remembrance. So, are we in community together as a church, and do we remember Jesus?

Pray for peace

brother Bill

Peace Mennonite Church keeps a prayer list for those in need. If you need prayer, or want to e-mail our pastor, e-mail billd @ peacemennonitechurch.net (Take out the extra spaces to use this e-mail—the spaces confuse spam generators).

Pray with us!

We are praying as a church, and attempting to follow the centuries’ old tradition of praying with other Christians three times a day. We are following the prayer liturgy at www.commonprayer.net

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Peace Mennonite Church of Columbia, MO Permission is granted for one-time non-commercial use with proper attribution.

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Psalm 78:23-29

Exodus 12:43—13:2

1 Corinthians 11:27-34

Psalm 78:23-29

23Yet he commanded the skies above, and opened the doors of heaven;

24he rained down on them manna to eat, and gave them the grain of heaven.

25Mortals ate of the bread of angels; he sent them food in abundance.

26He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens, and by his power he led out the south wind;

27he rained flesh upon them like dust, winged birds like the sand of the seas;

28he let them fall within their camp, all around their dwellings.

29And they ate and were well filled, for he gave them what they craved.

Exodus 12:43—13:2

43The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: This is the ordinance for the passover: no foreigner shall eat of it, 44but any slave who has been purchased may eat of it after he has been circumcised; 45no bound or hired servant may eat of it. 46It shall be eaten in one house; you shall not take any of the animal outside the house, and you shall not break any of its bones. 47The whole congregation of Israel shall celebrate it. 48If an alien who resides with you wants to celebrate the passover to the Lord, all his males shall be circumcised; then he may draw near to celebrate it; he shall be regarded as a native of the land. But no uncircumcised person shall eat of it; 49there shall be one law for the native and for the alien who resides among you. 50All the Israelites did just as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron. 51That very day the Lord brought the Israelites out of the land of Egypt, company by company.

13The Lord said to Moses: 2Consecrate to me all the firstborn; whatever is the first to open the womb among the Israelites, of human beings and animals, is mine.

1 Corinthians 11:27-34

27Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. 28Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves. 30For this reason many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31But if we judged ourselves, we would not be judged. 32But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. 33So then, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34If you are hungry, eat at home, so that when you come together, it will not be for your condemnation. About the other things I will give instructions when I come.